Monterey County, California: Central Coast Beauty

Monterey County stretches along California's central coast, ~120 miles south of San Francisco and 285 miles north of Los Angeles. It covers 3,300 sq mi (8,500 km²)—larger than Delaware.

Key features:

• Coastline: Big Sur cliffs, Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach.
• Agriculture: "Salad Bowl of the World"—lettuce, strawberries, artichokes, broccoli (Salinas Valley).
• Marine Science: Monterey Bay Aquarium, MBARI, Hopkins Marine Station.
• History: Mission San Carlos Borromeo (Carmel), Custom House (Monterey), Cannery Row (Steinbeck).
• Wine: Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, Monterey AVAs (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay).

Population ~440,000; county seat: Salinas. Tourism and ag drive the economy.